Parties may obtain discovery by one or more of the following methods: depositions upon oral examination or written questions; written interrogatories; production of documents or things or permission to enter upon land or other property, for inspection and other purposes; physical and mental examinations, including additional medical opinions under Article 1464; request for release of medical records; and requests for admission. Unless the court orders otherwise under Article 1426, the frequency of use of these methods is not limited.
Art. 1421.Discovery Methods
Book II. Ordinary Proceedings · Title III. Production of Evidence · Chapter 3. Discovery · Last amended 2017 · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 1421 lists the methods available for pretrial discovery in Louisiana -- depositions, written interrogatories, requests for production and entry, physical and mental examinations, requests for medical records, and requests for admission -- and lets parties use them in any combination, without a built-in limit on how often they're used.
Full Text of Art. 1421
Amendment History
Amended by Acts 2017, No. 381, §1, eff. 6/23/2017. Acts 1976, No. 574, §1; Acts 1993, No. 823, §1.
Plain-English Summary
Discovery in Louisiana isn't one tool -- it's a toolkit. Article 1421 lists six categories a party can draw on: depositions taken orally or on written questions, written interrogatories, requests to produce documents or things or to enter land for inspection, physical and mental examinations, requests for release of medical records, and requests for admission.
Nothing in the article ranks these methods against each other or forces a particular order. A party can combine them, use several at once, or lean on whichever fits the case best -- written interrogatories to pin down basic facts, then a deposition to probe the answers, for example.
The article also states, by default, that how often these methods get used isn't capped. That default only holds until a court steps in: Article 1426 lets a judge limit the frequency or scope of discovery on a showing of good cause, so the open door here isn't unconditional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What discovery methods are available in a Louisiana civil case?
Depositions (oral or written questions), written interrogatories, requests for production of documents or things or entry on land, physical and mental examinations, requests for release of medical records, and requests for admission.
Can a party use more than one discovery method at the same time?
Yes. Article 1421 doesn't require picking one method or using them in sequence -- parties can combine and run several at once.
Is there a limit to how many discovery requests a party can send?
Not under this article by itself. The frequency of discovery is unlimited by default, though a court can restrict it under Article 1426 for good cause.
Does Louisiana let a party request an opponent's medical records directly?
Yes. A request for release of medical records is its own listed discovery method, separate from an interrogatory or a physical examination.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure (legis.la.gov). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
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